As our country celebrates October as the National Children’s Month, I can’t help but wonder what future our country holds for our children. The organizers of this annual observance has in mind the noble intention of raising awareness on the welfare of our country’s youth – which has steadily and alarmingly becoming more delinquent according to some NGO’s such as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
This is a serious matter especially sa ating mga OFWs because one key reason they cited as the cause of this problem is due to the large number of OFW-parents being away from their children — thus weakening the values of our youth. Dito sa Hong Kong, pamilyar na sa ating mga manggagawa ang makarinig ng mga masasaklap na k’wento gaya ng ‘di pagtatapos ng pinapag-aral na anak, teen-pregnancies, pagkalulong sa drugs at mga anak na ‘di makuhang magpahalaga sa hirap ng magulang na OFW. Another ominous problem that I see is, sa sobrang subsob natin sa pagkayod para sa kanilang ikabubuhay, we forget to ask ourselves: How big is this social problem? Saan kaya ito hahantong? For now, I don’t think we have immediate and specific answers except to be on guard — each family on its own!
I have few unsolicited tips that may somehow be useful to worried parents out there. I have lived similar uncertainties in the past but was rather fortunate to be able to sustain my eldest to become a practicing medical doctor today and so with my youngest who is graduating in college this year. Allow me to share some of my secrets in sustaining the enthusiasm in their pursuit for premium education.
When my eldest was in her elementary years, I brainwashed her that she would become a doctor when she grew up. I have no stable job at that time but my commitment to that brainwashing turned out to be as strong as hers which means I have to work extra harder para hindi ako mapahiya sa aking anak. Kaya, my advice to our parent-readers is to start early sa pagpa-plano ng career ng kanilang anak because it will not only make them more determined, but this commitment will also give you that extra strength to work harder.
Continuously improve your skills so that your kids will not belittle you when they get more education and become smarter. ‘Pag tawag mo, ‘di ka makakantiyawan ‘pag tungkol sa new gadgets ang nababanggit nila tulad ng mga types of computer games na “in” or mga “hot” topics nila. One way is to upgrade or educate yourself sa computer technology, because you can find almost everything they are crazy about in the internet. That way, you can still give them some sort of advice as to what is best for them, knowing what kind of games and stuff they are up to. This process will not only prepare your children towards a brighter future but will also equip you with the competitive skills when you finally rejoin your family. We should maintain a mas-informed, mas-smart image to our children to keep winning their respect.
Maintain constant but quality communication with your family. Tawag ka nga ng tawag puro away at sermon naman! When I say quality communication, I mean you must feel that your mind and your kids’ mind are one and online on the things I mentioned above. Talk BIG things and they will aspire for greatness.
Of course there are many more but lastly and most importantly, pray a lot! There are thousands of unforeseen events that could derail our dreams for our kids. Our country as a whole is now faced with a disintegrating moral values on a daily basis. Morally offensive materials abound in our local movies, TV shows, newsprints and the Board of Censors seems to be helpless or useless. Our noon-time shows are filled with indecent and sexually-charged contents, and most celebrities are not of help by leading lives that are not conducive to our traditional values, the same could be said to many of our local and national leaders. Consider Malacanang’s recent appointment of Gov. Chavit Singson as Deputy for National Security Adviser. It is common knowledge that Gov. Singson’s political history in Ilocos Sur is marred with violence as he vied for political supremacy against his cousins. His national prominence came about from his role in ousting the then Pres. Joseph Estrada. All peace-loving Filipinos know that his “role” is not borne out of patriotism but rather to protect his own life. And now, the government “rewarded” the Governor from Ilocos Sur, whose history of violence is a common knowledge, to be an adviser for our country’s national security. Unbelievable!
And so to my fellow parent-OFWs, we are faced with a seemingly insurmountable task of not only ensuring that we can afford our children’s tuition fees but must carry on the extra burden of constantly reminding our kids that decency in government exist in other countries and many of our political celebrities should not be their “role-models”. Given these scenarios, the more reason we should be vigilant and resolved to guide our children and let us not surrender “our innocent sheep to the folds of the hungry wolves in our land”.
Author: Tony Bartolome, Editor, True Friends Newsmag
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
HOUSING, SCHOLARSHIP AT RETIREMENT SCHEME PARA SA LOW-EARNING OFWs
Sa atin sa Pilipinas tatlong social classes na pamumuhay ang pinoy, upper class, middle at lower class. Karamihan sa atin na domestic helpers come from middle class at lower class. Sa status ng OFWs in Hong Kong, tatlong klase din sa tingin ko ang pamumuhay: UPPER CLASS - are those pinoys who enjoy their earnings and run and own their business. MIDDLE CLASS pinoys are the employed professionals who enjoy all the benefits of their employment including the Right-Of-Abode. LOWER CLASS are the domestic helpers – no matter kung ano man ang kurso mong tinapos, domestic helper ka pa rin. This “category” does not enjoy benefits such as right of abode at iba pa. The salary kung ano lang ang approved ng host country; working more than the minimum hours at usually discriminated kahit sa kapwa pinoy. If you don’t like your employer, you cannot change or look for another at anytime or else you will have to go home and start all over again. Ang domestic helpers are what I consider as low-earning OFWs.
There are 3 major reasons why we went to work abroad. First, we want to have a decent house, secondly, mapag-aral ang mga anak at lastly, magkapagtatag ng sariling negosyo. Kaya ng dumating dito sa Hong Kong ang Pangulo nuong Marso, realistic housing scheme for OFW ang pangunahing “request” ang hiningi namin. Sa $3,580 na sahod ng isang domestic helper, mahirap pa rin maglaan ng budget para sa isang decente na bahay. Ang 10 % down payment makes us hard to budget unless we have to make another extra loan from financing. Kahit ang pangulo nakita n’ya ang pang downpayment sa housing loan ang malaking balakid para ma-avail natin ang housing benefits. I am looking forward that real estate company will offer soon zero downpayment for housing program at gawing priority for low income OFWs.
Ang pamahalaan ay maraming scholarship program, but ilang porsyento ba sa mga low-income OFWs ang nakaka-avail nito? Parental absence is one major reason naman kung bakit karamihan sa mga anak ng OFWs cannot maintain the average grade required sa scholarship program. While our domestics helpers care and love other families, napabayaan nila ang sariling pamilya. Ang programa ng pamahalaan sa scholarship program ay ‘di hamak na maliit para sa percentage number ng mga OFWs. Kaya mahirap hanapin ang success stories sa mga anak ng low-income OFWs na nasa nabanggit na program. Dapat maglaan ang pamahalaan spcecifically para lang sa mga anak ng low-income OFWs o di kaya isang programang vocational – being the least privileged among the OFWs that I mentioned above.
Sa Pilipinas, ano man ang sahod mo may nakalaan para sa iyong pagtanda. Sa ngayon wala pang programa ang gobyerno natin sa retirement scheme for OFWs. Sana isa rin ito sa pangunahing bagay na dapat nating tingnan - sa ating pagtanda kung wala na tayong kakayahan sa pagtrabaho sa abroad. Mga Bagong Bayani ng Bayan, ano ang mangyayari sa ating 10 to 15 years from now? Kung ang SSS ay ang kasagutan, dapat gawin nating kaugalian magpamyembro at magset aside for the future. Sa mga pagpupulong karapatan natin makibahagi at magbigay ng opinion particularly ang pagdesign ng retirement scheme para sa atin na mga OFWs. Ang OWWA o Overseas Welfare Workers Administration, ay ahensiya ng pamahalaan na dapat mag-isip para sa kapakanan nating mga OFWs. Nararapat lang nating tanungin sila kung anong klaseng mga welfare scheme ang mga nakadisenyo sa atin lalo na sa sampung taon o mahigit pang pagmimyembro. Naiplano na ba nila ito?
On my next article, I will be sharing my opinion on the following topics: Every month many new associations are born. Are these Associations or just simply social clubs? What are the purpose, objectives, missions and visions of these Associations? Ito ba ay makakatulong sa ating mga OFWs o dagdag gastos? Abangan sa next issue.
For comments, opinions and suggestions, e-mail it straight-from-your-heart to: jjsapio17@yahoo.com
Author: Jojo Sapio
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
Have you ever lose someone you love and realized you have not told him/her, and no matter what, you will never have the chance for death took him/her away? Have you ever made a plan to do things with a friend, family or lover but never managed to do it and will unlikely have the chance for that person is no longer able? Have you ever found yourself alone with your thoughts, looked back and realized you missed so many opportunities, because you chose to be idle, you preferred not to take risk and played it safe instead?
Without a doubt, many of you would have answered yes, and no one could blame you. But as life had taught me, unlike seasons where we could expect when to take our warm clothes out and keep the lighter ones in, our existence is unknown. One minute you are out with your family enjoying the day, or driving your way home, or snuggling under the covers with your loved ones savoring the bliss of intimacy and the next, you are gone. Not coming back, never to be heard from again.
Live life, now. That should be our mantra from now on. Do what we can while we still can, hug someone as if there is no tomorrow and love… love like mad as if no one else exist.
This month, The Guild would like to remember and reminisce our dear and loved and painfully missed friend, mentor and “mother”, the late Ms. Linda L. Layosa. A woman who had sown the likes of me and our very own Annabelle Libao among others. I humbly ask everyone to help us carry on what she lived for — writing, mentoring, inspiring people, especially domestic helpers like us. Let us all take a moment to say a little prayer for her. Those lucky enough to have crossed her path… think of happy thoughts with her in it. Never mind that such thought will fill your heart with ache and longing to the point where you could hardly breathe. With tears racing down your cheeks, embrace her, in your thoughts.
Don’t forget to write to us, share with us your thought on anything and everything. I also would like to apologize, I am still in London and have been very busy, but I promise, the 50-word writing contest result will continue next month. Meanwhile, just keep on writing. Below is a story.
“My Christmas”
The early morning wind hit me with surprise as I opened the door to let the dogs out. “Hay, malaria an naming nag simony nag hanging, parating na is Santa Clause, kailangan an naming mag shop till I drop ako nito,” I uttered to myself as I went back in to get a cardigan to guard myself from the cold.
As I prepared myself to start another day at work, I… Continue it for me, in English or Tagalog and send it to us at: theguild825@yahoo.com” or The Writers’ Guild Story-Telling G.P.O. Box 867, Central, Hong Kong. Deadline is on November 30, 2008 and will be published on your True friends newsmag in December.
Author: Cathy Montano, President, TWG
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
We face it, people gossip and we enjoy rumors that we are hearing especially when we are bored. Rumor and gossip are slightly different. A “rumor” is unclear information that we heard from unknown source but we have no proof whether that piece of story is true or false. A “gossip” is an idle talk, usually a “private and delicate thing” that people don’t talk openly about but revealed by someone and spread it out from one person to another behind the person’s back. That is gossip. Rumor on the other side is just an occasional story which might be true, partially true –- partially made up, or maybe totally made up but also passed on from one person to another. The receiver usually don’t care if the story is true or not and how it is delivered to another person.
Here, is one example of how rumor changes:
1) Maria: “Hoy Kulasa iyong manok namin nangitlog ng labindalawa, pero nakakapagtaka, kasi iyong anim na itlog parang itlog ng itik. Iniisip ko, baka napagawi ang isa sa alagang itik nang kapitbahay namin na nagkataong doon nangitlog mismo sa “nest” nong manok ko? Di kaya?
2) Kulasa: Hoy Petra alam mo ba yung manok ni Maria nangitlog ng itik, may duda daw siya sa itik nong kapitbayhay niya … sus, pwede palang mangyari yon?
3) Petra: Hoy, Pedro nabalitaan mo ba na iyong manok ni Maria at itik nong kapitbahay nila ay may relasyon pala? Ayun… nangitlog tuloy ng itik iyong manok ni Maria at nangitlog naman ng manok yung itik ng kapitbahay niya!
This may be an exaggerated example, but one piece of story can really change seriously if the listener heard it incorrectly and inadvertently delivered the story with slight changes. Even if these slight changes were made unintentionally, a new version of the story is born and the story becomes more exaggerated as people passed it on. Sometimes, the result….” the new version” maybe hurting to both you (as the victim), and the people close to you. When rumors already spread like virus, it becomes difficult to defend yourself. Some keep quiet, sat on it until rumor dies. For some, they reacted but as they do it, the more they got trapped. It’s like a nail that you hammered deeply into a wood, even if you pull it out again, the hole remains. So whatever you do, once you are the victim, you lose. It’s nice if you have friends around consoling you, but if nobody… just try to console yourself, ha ha ha. What else can you do? Ang mahalaga, you do not harm anybody and you have tried to be friendly with others. Pero sabi nga, you can’t please everybody. Hindi pwede talaga lahat ay matuwa sa iyo! Basta isipin mo na lang, for friends who really loves you, they don’t care about the rumor they heard. Rumour is another thing and the truth on your friendships is a separate matter. How to protect your friendship against rumor? SIMPLE – Be deft against rumor. Whether a rumor is true, false, partially true, decorated, or made up…. ignore it. Measure your closeness with your friends and think of the good old days. All people make mistakes but rumors worsen it. If your friend become a victim of this, ask yourself, do I care for my friend or I care for the carrier of this rumor? If you allow yourself to be influenced by this, you are extending a big favor to the rumor-maker. In short, protect your friend first by not making the “rumor-maker” happy!
Author: Rose Cruto Ho, TF Newsmag
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
Dito sa Hong Kong, karamihan sa atin ay dito nakikilala ang mga kaibigan. Dito na tayo nagkakaroon ng mga new friends, bestfriend or circle of friends.
Nagtitiwala na tayo agad-agad sa mga taong nakilala natin. Kasi naman unang araw pa lang nagpapakita na sa atin ng kabaitan. Nililibre ka na niya agad ng lunch or dinner kasi kesyo wala ka pang sahod kasi baguhan ka pa lang. Ikaw naman na bago pa lang akala mo totoo siya sa ginagawa niya at maluwag sa kalooban niya na bigyan ka. Hindi mo alam na hinuhuli lang pala niya ang iyong loob, na oras na mag-tiwala ka sa kanya BINGO na siya sa iyo. Mag sisimula na yan magsasabi ng mga financial problems niya. Hindi masama ang tumulong pero dapat may limit tayo, kasi naman may kapwa tayo OFW diyan na sa tagal ng pamamasukan niya wala pa ring ipon, puro utang na lang. Pag hindi pa nag-kasya ang inuutang, aba pati mga bagong salta na kababayan bibiktimahin. Mag-mamakaawa na i-pangutang sila sa bangko kahit konti lang, sila daw ang bahala sa monthly fee pero huwag ka, hanggang umpisa lang yan, pag naka dalawang hulog na iyan mag-tatago na at hindi mo na mahahagilap. Pag tinakot mo naman sila pa ang nag-mamalaki. Sila na ang tinulungan sila pa ang may ganang magalit.
Sa mga kababayan natin na bagong dating lang. Hindi masama ang makipag-kaibigan pero dapat maging mautak ka rin hindi iyong ikaw ang uutakan. Kayo naman diyan na nang-raraket ng mga kapwa, makonsensya naman kayo. Pare-pareho tayo na naghihirap sa pag-tatrabaho; pare-pareho tayong dayuhan dito dapat tayo ‘yung nag-kakaisa, nag- tutulungan at nag-mamalasakitan sa isa’t-isa. Masaya ka ba sa ginagawa mo na panloloko sa kapwa mo? Nakakatulog ka pa ba sa masamang gawain mo? Nagka-pera ka nga pero galing naman sa masamang paraan. Kaibigan ito ang iyong tandaan, ang pera na hindi mo pinaghirapan wala iyang patutunguhan, hindi gaya ng pera na pinagsikapan mo, galing sa hirap at pawis mo malayo ang mararating mo kabayan.
Ang mga iba naman diyan na mautak din, nag-papautang pero grabe naman ang taas ng mga interest talo pa ang bangko dito.Tutulong ka nga ‘di mo pa lubusang tulungan ang ating kaibigan. Business nga lang naman walang masama pero hindi mo ba iniisip na sa halip na makatulong ka lalo mo pang pinabagsak ‘yung pinautang mo dahil sa taas mong magpatong. Nag-hihirap na nga ‘yung umuutang sa’yo, mas lalo mo pang pinahirapan. Ang kayamanan natin dito sa ibabaw ng mundo ay hindi natin ‘yan madadala sa kabilang buhay.
Whoever puts God first in his life will be the first in His kingdom but whoever puts God last in his life will be the LAST in GOD’s KINGDOM. Thank you sa lahat ng mga readers na nag-send ng comments, sama-sama uli tayo next month sa November issue.
Author: Ed Roquel, TF Newsmag
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
Computer literacy is no doubt a must-have nowadays; we should know at least the difference between CPU (Central Processing Unit) and computer memory (RAM). We should at least know various mouse techniques – clicking, pressing, right-clicking, left-clicking, double-clicking, and triple-clicking. Not only should we know how to turn on the computer system (hardware, software, and firmware) but at least we should know the proper positioning of fingers on the keys at the PC keyboard. If you think you are an expert in Internet, then you should know these things – WWW, ISP, URL, LAN, Netscape! Well if you know what I am talking about, then you can consider yourself passing the novice stage of computer literacy, then if you know system analysis, system design, and you know what computer programming is, then you are without doubt not only computer literate but you are considered computer knowledgeable person and nearing computer expertise. But if the things mentioned above seems alien to you then I suggest you start learning by studying with the guidance of an expert in the field of computer. As they say, learn it from the master/s and you won’t be lost in the game of information technology (IT). Everyone picks up bits, bytes and pieces of information while using and working around computers. This can leave some pretty big gaps in your information landscape. The operating system is the master program that runs the computer behind the scenes while you work. It translates your instructions into actions by the machine. It also heads off conflicts between one part of the machine and another, making them all take turns. The most common operating systems are Windows, MacOS, and Unix. DOS is an older system that is now a small part of Windows.
The User Interface is what you see on the screen at the beginning. You can come back to this screen anytime you need it. Sometimes a part of it is always visible. The simplest user interface is a Command Line. The line is shown by a Prompt, some symbols that tell you where to type your commands (e.g. C:\windows> …); this is not so common today, but it is easy to use — if you remember the Commands. Since most people can’t remember a lot of commands or don’t want to be bothered, the alternative is a GUI, graphical user interface: a pretty set of little pictures called ‘icons’ with printed labels on them that appear on the screen to remind you of the commands. The Mouse is used to ‘click’ on an icon or label to issue a command. The most common commands are the ones to start new programs. The programs then give you more choices of specialized commands to edit text, draw pictures, access the internet, etc.
The Most Important Types of Application Programs are:
Word Processor — creates, reads, edits text files; sometimes can add pictures or tables Paint or Draw — creates, shows, and changes pictures and images; usually in color
Database — stores and organizes information, helps locate needed information
Spreadsheet — does simple math calculations, especially for businesses
Communications — helps connect to other computers by modem and telephone
Browser — connects to the Internet to show web pages
Email — write, read, send, receive, store, and organize electronic mail messages
Let’s have a basic computer test: Can you differentiate between RAM and ROM? How about CRT and LCD? Hmmm, how about desktop and tower system? Or notebook and book PC? What are the parts of file name? Do you know how to create your own folder on a Windows Operating System desktop? If it sounds alien to you, then come and study with us at TonisArt Graphics Computer Tutorial, not only will you learn but rather we will tutor you; just visit us at Room 401, 4/F Sunny House, 10-14 Li Yuen St West, Central, HK and call us at 2868-1106 or 9601-5995. We are waiting for your suggestion of a topic to be discussed. Even our readers from the jail are welcome to propose a subject related to ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
Author: Dennis Madlangbayan, TF Newsmag
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
” Choices people make and circumstances in life sometimes conspire to teach us lessons, direct our steps even in the most difficult ways.”
My story begins in 1970, the year I was born. My parents were married not out of romantic love but parental arrangement. To say that my childhood was not-so-happy is an understatement. Tragedies of misfortune abound. For one, four successive newborn siblings died with no found reasons. Second, I’m a girl — the first born. In their belief to cut a curse, I was given to my mother’s married barren brother. My stay with them, however, was short, his wife preferred a child from her family line for permanent adoption. So my paternal grandparents had me instead. I was six when a healthy, handsome baby brother came, the sole pride and joy of my parents.
I grew up in a small village of less than 200 people. Seasonal farming was the main source of income. Daily consumption includes gathering wild ferns, turnips, mushrooms in the woods; shells, fish and frogs from nearby creeks. Additional recreations were chasing chickens and hunting spiders. Most of the time, I felt, looked, acted, and smelt like a ranger. I was a loner, madalas umuuwing luhaan kapag nangangapit-bahay. There’s nobody I can play with. Kids just ignored me, teased me at lagi wala din kakampi. From home, school was a 59-minute walk through the rice fields, I wasn’t discouraged. My grandparents inspired me with hopes and dreams that someday I will enjoy a better life, ride a bus in the city instead of kariton, watch real life movie not just old folk tales from a transistor radio, and live one day in a house that could shade me from moonlight and raindrops. They taught me how to live with nature, enjoy abundance in simplicity but also to dream big. With them I was the happiest kid. They were my greatest source of love, comfort and encouragement but I lost them both when I was 10. Sabay ibinurol, sabay din inilibing (grandma died of a disease, grandpa of cardiac arrest, 2 days later). That was the saddest point of my life. Grieving tears flooded me with emotions, it dampened not only my face but my soul for many days, months and years after. I attended secondary at age 12, living independently at the school’s dormitory. Money was tight, it’s not even enough for daily necessities and projects. School breaks meant not rest but a time for me to help in the farm, pasture animals, do household chores or babysit my brother. With no comfort or luxury, I persevered. I poured out efforts capitalizing on my pains, hopes, and longings maintaining grades as an honor student, consistently. Every March, school’s annual recognition day was considered a reward-giving-new-things day for me as substitute of the usual-relatives-hands-me-down stuffs of Christmas.
I studied college but my parents can’t continue to support me so I stopped. Frustrated, bored and helpless, I went to Manila. With some luck, I was employed in a garment export company. Under 18 I’ve been working since then. As a young adult trying to find a place in the world, I have lots of questions in mind. Early memories of fear, rejection and despair reminded me of the missing pieces of life… fine things, home, and the love of family. I have been told more than once that I was born jinx (unlucky). Though I wanted to believe that they were wrong, I carried a secret fear that perhaps they were right. I continued sacrificing things of youth in order to be matured, self-sufficient, and responsible. I landed in Hong Kong in 1991. I brought with me a great dream and a great responsibility. Out of kindness and obedience I freely share my blessings to my family. With hope things will improve and my brother will not be deprived of privileges and experience the hardships I’ve been through, I was dismayed to find generosity and sacrifice have no value for him. He married young, twice, with degree unfinished.
I decided to go home in 2001. For 5 years I was blessed with a wonderful husband and 2 great kids. Blissful to my hope, my relationship with my parents improved. We talked, worked out things that matter most in life.They acknowledged my hardships and sacrifices as well as their mistakes and shortcomings. Slowly, I began to retake my rightful place as their daughter and gained more respect, trust and love that I so long deserved. Together for 40 years, I’m sure that between my parents, love is shared and still lives. Same time, I saw what my brother’s life has become. His days revolved in alcohol, violence and other irresponsible acts. His wife left to work overseas, with no reforms, she didn’t come back. She found a better man, taking with her their daughter. Abandoned and depressed, drinking gave my brother refuge to grieve and his grieving gave him refuge to drink, the perfect cycle of doom. He was lost, on and off a psychiatric patient. It wrenched my heart seeing him and my parents tormented as he suffers. Sometimes I wonder how could someone who grew up lavishly with love, comfort and freedom could end up miserable and broken. He, who was unconditionally sheltered and nurtured chose rebellion and defeats.
In life, I lived and learned the hard way but somehow I managed to grow, I struggled yet victorious in the process. Looking back, I have losses and gains, sorrows and joys and found life’s worth overcoming most of my fears. For many years, I’ve been sharing hope, faith and friendship through community service. I became a worker of God’s vineyard, an advocate of fellow OFW’s, a founding leader of small organization, a marketing director in financial service (side career). And still, I continue to equip myself with skills, to explore other possibilities. I discovered too many beautiful places not just riding a city bus but planes. For entertainment, sure I’m enjoying more than a good movie and I now have a better home to stay… as my grandparents hoped for me. Good choices and hard works deserve corresponding rewards. I’m a believer. Failures, I have many, and also simple accomplishments that fulfill. I say “I’m full of blessings”, not curses. I thank God for helping me rise through life’s difficult challenges, for giving me wisdom learning to traverse those valleys of wrong and right choices, for blessing me with grace to accept and forgive rather than holding grudges, trying to change people nor expecting something in return. I thank God for providing me helps; opportunities and chances, wonderful friends and mentors that blessed my path at times I’ve no place and no one to turn to. Above all, in memory of my loving grandparents to whom I’m indebted and forever grateful, I honor them for what I have become, for their pride and confidence in me, for installing in me hopes that carry me all through. For now I don’t have a vast fortune nor high prestige to pass on as legacy but I do have a lasting gift of hope that continuously flicker. Faith to hold, courage to empower, enduring sacrifice with love deeply sown to keep it nourished, my parents and brother, my husband and children fit into my journey of hope. They are, so far, my great living motivators.
Author: Annabelle Libao, TWG
*Cover story for October 2008 issue of True Friends Newsmag
Nakaranas ka na bang mawalan ng pera? Hindi ba’t nakakabaliw, nakakainis, at nakaka-pressure ang ganitong sitwasyon? Lalo pa kaya sa kagaya kong hindi naman talaga sanay masagad sa pera. Naging ugali ko na ang maging maluwag sa paggastos. Madalas kong katwiran. “Pera lang yan.” Pero ganito pala kahirap makapos. Nangangarap ng gising at dinadala pati sa panaginip ang pagiging desperada na yumaman. Naiisip mo lahat ng posibleng mag-aahon sa ‘yo sa lugmok mong sitwasyon. Paulit-ulit, magmukha ka mang sirang plaka sa pagsasabin, “Mananalo ako sa Mark 6,” ay babagsak ka na lamang sa pagtawa sa iyong kabaliwan.
Minsan napasabay ako sa mga kapwa ko Pilipina isang hapon sa pagtataya ng Mark 6. Dito nagsimula ang usapang walang pera. Ito ang unang subok ko. Hindi ko nga alam kung papano ba markahan ang kapirasong papel kung saan nakaukit ang numero mula 1 hanggang 49. Ayon sa mga kasama ko, anim na numero ang kailangan mong guhitan sa papel. At pagkatapos makapili ng anim na numero ay saka ka naman pipili kung saan mo ilalagay ang iyong taya. Single, Multiple o Banker? Bagong kaalaman para sa akin ang pagtaya dito. Umaasang lumabas ang numerong napili. Bagama’t di pa nananalo, kay rami ko ng planong gustong tuparin kung sakaling makuha ko ang jackpot. Ikaw ba naman ang maging instant milyonaryo? Sigurado, kagaya ko pangarap mo ring ikutin ang buong mundo, magpatayo ng family business, bumili ng bahay at lupa sa Baguio, kotse at mawawala ba ang pagtulong sa kawanggawa at pag-donate sa simbahan bilang pasasalamat sa instant pagpapala? Ang sarap mangarap. Bukambibig ni Ate Carina na mapalad daw ang first timer. Lalo lang tuloy nadagdagan ang ilusyon ko ng araw na iyon. Beterana na silang maituturing sa ganitong bagay. Tatlong beses sa isang lingo ang bolahan sa Mark 6. At walang palya rin silang tumataya. Malakas ang pag-asang makakasuwerte din sila. At pag nangyari daw iyon, uuwi na raw sila sa Pilipinas. Ilang ulit nga binaggit, kahit first prize na lang daw. Kung di man ipagkaloob ang jackpot sa kanila. Sa puntong ito, humagalpak ako sa tawa. Naisip ko lang, sa milyong tumataya at pilit umaasam makuha ang jackpot makakailang taya pa ba ako? Kung gagayahin ko silang tataya kada bola hindi kaya sa isang taon ay nakabili na ako ng lupa o nakapagpatayo na ako ng sarili kong bahay kung inipon ko? Hindi masama ang mangarap. At lalong hindi rin siguro masama ang umasa. Nagpatuloy pa ang aming usapan. Tinanong nila ako kung bakit bigla ay naisipan kong tumaya. Hindi naman ako ipokrita para sabihin kong trip ko lang. Sinagot ko sila ng diretso. Nagsasawa na ako sa sitwasyon ko, habang tumatagal ka sa abroad lalo ka lang malulubog sa utang. Pag nanalo ako, uuwi na ako at magpapatayo na lamang ng sarili kong negosyo. Ang hirap maghintay ng sahuran tapos lipad agad ang pera hindi pa man nag-iinit sa yong kamay. Dalaga nga ako pero pasan ko naman lahat ang problema. Ayokooooo na… Napahagikgik sila sa tawa sa aking tinuran. Abnormal na lang daw ang taong walang utang at walang problema. Marahil tama pero kalabisan naman na yata ang pigain ka kahit wala na. Pati kamag-anak na hindi mo naman talaga obligasyon ay di naniniwalang wala kang pera. Kung ‘di mo pinagbigyan sa hilig nila, asahan mo ikaw na ang pinakamasama sa mundo. Siyempre, kinagabihan inabangan ko ang bolahan. Nanginginig pa ako sa nerbiyos ng ikumpara ko ang aking numero sa lumabas sa bolahan. Tinatanong niyo kung nanalo ako? Aba, ayoko ng magsalita. Baka humingi ka pa ng balato… Tumaya ka rin kaya?
Author: Amy Gunnacao, TWG
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (October 2008 issue)
Dear Editor,
Hello everyone!
I just came here from Singapore a few months ago and I’m still finding a hard time to adjust to the environment and the family I work with, weekdays kasi ang holiday ko. Isang beses lang day-off na linggo sa isang buwan. I just go to church, visit the parks and sometimes reply e-mails after having an hour of cyber-browsing, then tapos na naman ang maghapon.
I love reading and I try to grab papers that are for free especially on pinoy-related topics. Minsan nakakainis na rin magbasa ng samo’t saring balita, karahasan, kalamidad, koraption (haayyy nakakawalang gana!)… provoking emotions, primarily resentments, anger, hopelessness, though things can and will improve for the better, lalo na sa ating bayan.
I like reading your newsmag because I find it soul-inspiring, unlike others na masyadong comercialized at more on tsismis that has negative impact. “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” is always an eye-opener… same with “Bato-bato sa langit”, moral reminder too.
Your pages have the ability to brighten one dull moment. Two inspiring journeys captured my heart, “Joyzjourney” of Joy Marqueses and “Gems in Journey” of Annabelle Libao. Their thoughts and experiences are very true that I and perhaps many OFW’s, can easily relate with… very uplifting, projecting positive outlooks in life. Health tips is one I look forward too, and IT topics help a lot. I, for one, need to be upgraded. Mr. Sapio is a very inspiring leader and I think Cherry Mon is a great Chef… is it a profession? Well, I laugh at “Joke Lang Po”, and I challenge my Tagalog vocabulary sa crossword… taga Ilocos po ako. Horoscope? Life goes with or without predictions pero enjoy ako for the wishes.
With you, life is less boring. For the wisdom, inspiration and service, thank you. I hope and pray that your publication will continue to provide helpful-healthy reading articles and remain true to serve as voice of every Filipino citizen overseas. More power TF!
Nakikibaka at tumatangkilik,
Grace Magsanoc
Sai Kung, N. T.
